Before you wrap a gift that either barks or meows, just make sure you do the research ahead of time. Giving pets as gifts has long drawn the ire of animal rights groups because of the time and financial commitment some owners may not realize they are getting themselves into at the time. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recommends giving pets as gifts, but only to people who have shown a sustained interest in owning one and can care for it. If you are giving the pet to a child, you should assume that you will also be doing a lot of the work. Angela Speed from the Wisconsin Humane Society, which operates one of its shelters in Door County, says the data shows that many pet owners become even more attached to their pets if they are gifts, especially with the extra time at home to adjust to each other.

Speed encourages you to visit with your possible pet choices and visit with an adoption counselor with WHS to see if they will be a good fit for your home.